Industrial software and technology firm Emerson has signed a multi-year agreement with PureCycle Technologies, to provide digital technologies and automation for a network of global polypropylene recycling facilities.
PureCycle Technologies uses an innovative, patented technology developed by Procter & Gamble to separate color, odor and any other contaminants from plastic waste feedstock to transform it into virgin-like recycled PP.
Emerson’s Plantweb digital ecosystem was chosen for its breadth of digital solutions, including intelligent sensors and control valves, advanced operations software and systems, cloud data management and analytics.
“Unlike traditional manufacturing facilities coping with transforming legacy platforms to digital, PureCycle’s progressive approach will enable all future facilities to be born digital,” said Dustin Olson, chief manufacturing officer of PureCycle Technologies. “With Emerson’s help, each PureCycle facility is expected to start up with the most advanced digital automation technologies available, allowing for faster project completion, fully integrated systems, and world-class operating performance.”
Polypropylene is one of the world’s most frequently produced, versatile and widely used plastics. Despite more than 170 billion tons being produced each year, less than 1% is reclaimed annually for recycling and reuse. Polypropylene is commonly used in production of food and cosmetics packaging, toys, automobile parts and more.
“PureCycle’s first-of-its-kind technology purifies waste plastic to remove color, odor and other contaminants to create a near-virgin ultra-pure recycled polypropylene suitable for nearly any application,” Olson said.
“Sustainability is driving incredible innovation across the industry,” said Mike Train, chief sustainability officer of Emerson. Emerson’s digital automation software and technologies are helping companies like PureCycle make practical and measurable progress toward these goals today.”